Still unclear if Sacramento has made new, formal bid for Kings

With NBA meetings that could decide the fate of the Sacramento Kings growing ever clearer, it remained uncertain Monday night if the Sacramento ownership had submitted a new, formal offer for the team.

A lengthy interview with Vivek Ranadive, the new leader of the Sacramento ownership group, in the Sacramento Bee published tonight said he would not say if the group has “filed a written purchase offer with the NBA.”

The story says the interview was conducted Monday.

The story also says Ranadive would not say if Sacramento will match the increased offer made Friday night by the Chris Hansen-led Seattle group, which improved the total value of the team to $550 million. Seattle is purchasing 65 percent of the team, making its new purchase price roughly $357 million.

— The Bee also reported Monday that the Sacramento hotel community is paying $10,000 to air a 30-second message about the Kings on the giant video board above Times Square beginning Tuesday. The story says the video will be shown every five minutes for 72 hours.